GREENWOOD, S.C. -- Augusta State's upset bid came up short Wednesday night as Lander hit seven free throws in the final 1:33 for a 75-68 Peach Belt Conference victory in Finis Horne Arena.
The victory was the eighth straight in the series for the 19th-ranked Bearcats, who improved to 20-5 overall and 15-2 in the PBC. The Lady Jaguars suffered their fourth straight setback and fell to 11-14 and 6-11, respectively.
Junior point guard Brittany White led the way for ASU with 15 points and 11 assists for her second double-double of the season. She added eight rebounds and snagged two steals. Tiffany Jaecks booked 12 points, Laci Schreiber added 11 and Marina Fox chipped in 10 points off the bench.
Lander point guard Brittni Johnson booked a game-high 23 points, including three 3-pointers. Ciara Lyons netted 14 points, eight steals and five rebounds, while Kami Phillips pitched in 13.
The Bearcats threatened to pull away in the first half when they used a 16-0 run to move in front 27-12 on a Johnson jumper at the 4:57 mark. ASU stayed within reach when it closed the half on a 12-2 spurt as LU missed its last four shots and committed four turnovers.
In a contest that featured six ties and 13 lead changes, the Lady Jags moved ahead 30-29 on a Jaecks' jumper at the 17:59 mark. ASU remained in front for nearly three minutes and a Becky Newhouse jumper knotted the game at 40-all at the 13:34 mark.
Peterson drained a 30-footer with the shot clock running out at the 10:00 mark for a 48-44 ASU advantage and her trey from the right wing with 6:48 left put the Lady Jags up 54-52.
The Bearcats immediately answered with a 9-2 spurt and ASU never got closer than four the rest of the way.
The Lady Jags wrap up their regular-season schedule on Saturday, Feb. 25 in Savannah, Ga., vs. Armstrong Atlantic State. Game time is slated for 5:30 p.m., in Alumni Arena.